Dispensing machine for beverages in bottles or cans



Nov. 24, 1964 R. GALE DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES ORCANS Filed April 28. 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

IQO/VALO GALE ATTOE/WFVS Nov. 24, 1964 R. GALE 3, 5

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28, 19617 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EON/J40 ,445

R. GALE Nov. 24, 1964 DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES ORCANS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 28, 1961 INVENTOR.

PO/VA L O GALE NOV. 24, 1964 GALE 3,158,247

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28, 19617 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTOE VE VS R. GALE 3,158,247

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES IN BOTTLES 0R CANS Nov. 24, 1964 7Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 28, 1961 IN VEN TOR.

EON/ 1 L 0 m. mm. a

R. GALE 3,158,247

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Nov. 24, 1964 DISPENSING MACHINE FOR BEVERAGES mBOTTLES OR CANS Filed April 28. 1961 Mllll.

IN VEN TOR. BOA/4L D GA L 5 BY flmm w% ,4 rralewsvs United States PatentOffice hliihi? Patented Nov. 24:, 19%4 DISPENSING MACHINE FUR EEVERAGESIN IEQT'ILES 9R CANS Ronald Gale, Hagerstown, Md, assignor to VictorFred- This invention relates to vending machines, and more particularlyto a device of the coin-operated type adapted for vending or dispensingbeverages contained in bottles, cans or similar packages and wherein thebeverage containers may be stored in a refrigerated condition.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedautomatic coin-controlled beverage vending machine which is relativelysimple in construction, which requires a minimum amount of humansupervision and which is readily adjustable to accommodate various typesand sizes of beverage containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedautomatically operated, coin-controlled beverage container dispensingdevice which is durable in construction, which is reliable in operation,and which is not readily subject to jamming of the beverage containersdispensed thereby.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedbending and dispensing device for storing and dispensing beveragecontainers in response to the reception of a suitable coin, the devicebeing relatively compact in size, being easy to assemble, being arrangedso that it is simultaneously usable to dispense cans, bottles, and othertypes of beverage containers, which is rendered inoperativeautomatically when a container is received on the dispensing traythereof and is automatically restored to operation when the container isremoved from said tray, and which is provided with means to preventimproper delivery of beverage containers when the relaycontrolledswitches thereof become stuck or jammed in closed positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedcoin-controlled automatic beverage vending machine which is adapted toreceive a plurality of beverage containers in a vertically stackedarrangement and which is arranged to sequentially dispense thecontainers in a reliable manner without damage thereto, the mechanisminvolving relatively simple parts, being easy to adjust, and being easyto install or remove, when required.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the mechanism of an improvedautomatic beverage container dispensing machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention, the machine being shown with thefront Wall of its housing removed andwith the lower bracket portionsassociated with said front wall shown in vertical cross section.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on theline 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on theline 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on theline 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view takensubstantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view takensubstantially on the line 66 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 7'7 ofFIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the elements of theoperating mechanism of the dispensing assembly of FIGURE 5, the elementsbeing shown in separated positions FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspectiveview showing the manner in which the beverage container vertical guiderails are adjustably secured in the frame of the dispensing machine ofFIGURE 1 so that the machine may be adjusted to accommodate difierentsizes and types of beverage containers.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view takensubstantially on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 11 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical circuitconnections of the beverage container dispensing machine of FIGURES 1 to10.

Referring to the drawings, 12 generally designates an improved vendingmachine according to the present invention, the machine comprising acabinet 13 made of suitable material, such as sheet metal, or the like,the cabinet including the side walls 14 and 15, the top wall 16, the

bottom wall 17, the rear wall 18, and a suitable front Wall assembly,not shown in the drawings. Said front Wall assembly is indicated indotted view at 19 in FIGURE 2.

The cabinet includes a lower compartment 21 adapted to containrefrigeration equipment associated with the device. Overlying the space21 are a pair of side-by-side apertured downwardly and forwardlyinclined Wall members 23 and 24 formed at their forward ends withconverging delivery chute portions 25 and 26 leading to respectivereceiving troughs 27 and 28 provided at the lower front portion of thecabinet, the trough 27 and 28 being downwardly and forwardly inclined,as shown in FIGURE 2, and leading to a common delivery chamber 29secured to the front portion of the cabinet and provided with an accessopening 30 of suflicient size to allow a bottle or beverage can to beeasily passed therethrough. As shown in FIGURE 4 each convergent chute25 and 26 is further provided interiorly thereof with a generallyV-shaped upstanding guide member 32 having dowuward ly and outwardlyinclined sloping walls cooperating with the respective side walls of thedelivery chutes 25 and 26 to define a pair of delivery channels in eachdelivery chute, the delivery channels converging toward the throatportion of the associated main delivery chute. Thus, in the specificassembly illustrated in the drawings, there are four storage spaces forbeverage containers defined, shown respectively at 33, 34, 35 and 36 inFIGURE 4, the storage spaces 33 and 34- being associated with theinclined wall element 25 and the storage spaces 35 and 36 beingassociated with the inclined Wall elements 24.

Respective vertical channel brackets 37 and 38 are secured to the insidesurfaces of the side walls 14 and 15 in the front portion of thecabinet, and secured to said channel brackets is a vertical plate member'39 which eX- tends across the full width of the cabinet. Spacedhorizontal rearwardly extending channel-shaped bar members 46 aresecured at their forward portions to a forwardly extending horizontalbottom flange 41 provided on the plate member 39 and are secured attheir rear end portions to the bottom flange 42 of a generallychannelshaped vertical bar member 43 which is secured in the rearportion of the cabinet between the side walls 14 and I5 and in aposition spaced from and parallel to the rear wall 18. As shown inFIGURE 2, the delivery chute wall members 23 and 24 are supported on andsecured to the bottom flange 42 of bar member 43 at the rear ends ofsaid delivery chute wall members.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the bar members 4% are spaced so as to underliethe side margins of the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36, andeach bar member 40 is formed with respective marginal rows oftransversely extending slots M at the opposite side margins thereof andwith a further row of inclined slots 45 at the rear portion thereof. Achannel-shaped top plate 46 is secured to the top wall 16 and extendingbetween the side walls 14 and 15, said top plate 46 being in overlyingrelationship to the bar members 40, the top plate 46 being formed withslots 47 arranged in rows and vertically registering with the slots 44and with further slots 48 arranged in rows and registering with theinclined slots 45, as shown in FIGURE 9.

Each of the storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36 is provided at its sidemargins with a pair of upstanding beverage container guide bars 49 andSt}, the guide bars being generally U-shaped in horizontal cross sectionand presenting guiding edges 51 and 52, respectively, at their apexportions. The beverage container guide bars 49 and 50 are formed attheir top and bottom ends with respective pairs of rectangular lugs 53,53 and 54, 54 adapted to be engaged in selected pairs of respectiveslots 47, 47 and 44, 44 at the forward portions of the spaces 33, 34, 35and 36, and with respective selected pairs of slots 48 and 45 at therear portions of said storage spaces, the bar members 49 and 50 beingpositioned with their apex portions directed inwardly toward therespective storage spaces 33, 34, 35, and 36, as is clearly shown inFIGURE 3. Sufiicient clearance is provided at the top and bottom ends ofthe guide bars 49 and 50 adjacent the retaining lugs 53, 53 and 54, 54to allow the guide bars to be readily elevated to disengage the bottomlugs 54 from the slots 44 and 45 to allow the guide bars to be removedand repositioned in the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36 inaccordance with the sizes and shapes of the beverage containers to bestored in said spaces. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 3, the forward guidebars 49 may be suitably positioned to engage the neck portions ofbottles 55 stacked in the storage space 33, whereas the rear guide barsmay be positioned so that the spacing therebetween is somewhat greaterthan the spacing between the side bars 49, and so that the guide bars 56may engage the cylindrical portions of the bottles. Similarly, ifbeverage cans are to be dispensed, for example cans 56, as shown inFIGURE 3, the forward guide bars 49 in the storage space 34 containingthe cans may be positioned so as to project inwardly adjacent theforward rims of the cans, whereas the rearward guide bars 50 in thestorage space 34 may be arranged outwardly adjacent the cylindricalsurfaces of the can so as to glide same for vertical movement.

As previously mentioned, the top lugs 53 are of sulficient length sothat the guide bars will be retained in their adjusted positions and sothat sufficient clearance may be provided at the bottom ends of theguide bars to allow the bottom lugs 54 to be disengaged from theirretaining slots when the bars are to be readjusted.

Secured in the cabinet above and in vertical registry with the platemember 43 is a plate member 57 which constitutes the main rear wall ofthe storage compartments 33, 34, and 36. Said main wall 57 is formedwith respective vertical slots 58 having rearwardly extending peripheralflanges 59, the slots 58 being positioned in communication with thelower portions of the respective storage spaces 33, 34, 35 and 36 andbeing provided therein with micro switches designated respectively atE81, E82, and ES3 in FIGURE 11, the micro switches being engaged byrespective pivoted leaf members 60 to hold the micro switches openunless said leaf members are released. The leaf members 69 are in turnengaged by the stacked beverage containers until the stacks ofcontainers are so depleted as to drop below a predetermined level,whereupon the associated pivoted leaf member 66 is released, allowingits associated micro switch to operate. As will be presently explained,this energizes an associated indicator lamp and indicates an emptycondition for the corresponding beverage container storage space.

The respective stacks of beverage containers in the storage compartments33, 34, 35, and 36 are supported on and selectively released byrespective pivoted vending members or frame assemblies 61, 62, 63 and 64provided in the bottom portions of the container storage compartments,the frame assemblies being similar in construction and each comprisingfront and rear transverse bars 65 and 66 connected by longitudinallyextending side rods 67 and 68 having idler sleeves 69 and 70 rotatablyengaged thereon. The rear bars 66 are pivoted at 71 to the verticalplate member 43 and the front bars 65 are pivoted at 72 to the frontvertical plate member 39. The pivot elements 71 and 72 comprise shortstub shafts which are keyed to members 65 and 66 in longitudinalalignment, the pivotal connections of the bars 66 and 65 to said stubshafts 71 and 72 being spaced off center with respect to said bars 66and 65, the pivotal axis being located closer to the rod 67 than to therod 68.

Since the sleeves 63 and 7d are freely rotatable with respect to therods 67 and 68, no frictional restraint is imposed on the rotation ofthe frames 61, 62, 63 and 64 by the weight of the containers stackedthereupon.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the containers 55 or 56 are vertically stacked inthe compartments 33, 34, 35 and 36 in double rows which are staggered inthe manner illustrated, the bottom container being supportingly engagedby one of the rods 67 or 68 through its associated bearing sleeveelements 69 or 70, the remainder of the stack of containers being thussupported by the lowermost container. For example, in FIGURE 1, thelowermost bottle 55 is supportingly engaged by the sleeve 69 on the rod67 of frame assembly 61 with said frame assembly positioned so that itis inclined upwardly and to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1 to thusengage the lowermost bottle 55 which is positioned at the left of thedouble stack? In order to release the lowermost bottle 55 it isnecessary for the frame 61 to be oscillated first in a clockwisedirection to a sufiicient angle to allow the lowermost bottle to dropdownwardly sufficiently to engage the bearing sleeve 70 on theassociated frame rod 68, after which the frame 61 must be returned toits original position so that the bottle may be allowed to descendfurther, namely, may be released by the bearing sleeve 70 of the rod 68.Thus, the frame 61 must be rotated through a predetermined angle in aclockwise direction to allow the lowermost bottle 55 to drop downwardlyinto engagement with the sleeve 76, after which the frame 61 must bereturned to its original position to allow the bottle to be freed and todrop downwardly so that it may gravitate through the discharge chute 25and the delivery chute 27 into the delivery chamber 29. FIGURE 5 furtherillustrates the required oscillation of the frame member 61 to releasethe lowermost container 55. From FIGURE 5 it will be seen that eachrotation of the frame member 61 from one of its dotted view positionsshown in FIGURE 5 to the other results in the release of a container 55,namely, either the lowermost container in the left stack of the doublesack of containers or the lowermost container in the right stack of saiddouble stack. With each rotation of the frame member 61 a container isautomatically placed in position to be released responsive to the nextrotation of the frame member.

Oscillation of the frame member 61 is produced by an electric motor, forexample, the motor V M1, which is associated with the storage space 33,through a crank mechanism, designated generally at 73. The shaft ofmotor VM1, shown at 74, has secured thereto a driving disc 75, androtatably secured on the shaft 74 adjacent the disc 75 is a crank membercomprising a pair of guide discs 76, 77 with an intervening smallerconcentric disc 78. The members 76, 77 and 7% are pivotally connected tothe shaft 74 eccentrically with respect to the driving disc 75, althoughthe members 76, 77 and 78 are concentric with each other. The drivingdisc 75 is formed with an arcuate slot 79 concentric with the shaft 74and a clamping screw 80 is provided, said clamping screw extendingthrough the members '76, 7'7 and 78 and through the slot 79, beingprovided with a fastening nut 81 for securing the members 76, 77 and 78in adjusted positions with respect to the driving disc 75 around theshaft 74. A crank arm 82 is rotatably engaged on the crank disc element78, being retained between the larger crank disc members 76 and 77, asshown in FIG- URE 7. The end of the crank arm 82 is rotatably anddrivingly connected to an extension 84 of the frame rod 67, so that theframe M is oscillated around the axis of the shaft element 72 responsiveto the operation of the crank mechanism 73 which occurs when the motorVMl is energized. The amplitude of such oscillation is adjusted inaccordance with the adjustment of the crank elements 76, 77 and '78relative to the driv ng disc 75. As will be apparent from FIGURE 5, thecrank arm 32 is extended to the left during one half of a revolution ofthe driving disc 75 and is retracted to the right during the next halfrevolution of said disc 75. The extension of the crank arm 82 to theleft releases the lowermost container 55 in the left hand stack of thedouble stack of containers, whereas the retraction of the crank arm 32to the right releases the lowermost container in the right hand stack ofcontainers in the double stack, while allowing the lowermost containerin the left hand stack to descend to a position wherein it will bereleased responsive to the next extension to the left of the crank arm82. Thus, each revolution of the driving disc 75 provides release of twocontainers 55, one being released for each half revolution of the disc75.

As will be presently explained, the motor VMl is controlled by a limitswitch, designated at V51 included in the control circuit of the device,the limit switch being normally closed and having an operating element85 engageable by respective lugs 86 and 85' at diametrically oppositelocations on the periphery of the driving disc 75, said lugs cooperatingwith the operating element 35 to terminate operation of the associatedvending motor VMll after it has rotated the frame 61 through thenecessary angle to release a beverage container 55.

The motor VMl is detachably secured to a vertical supporting plate 37which is rigidly mounted in the cabinet 13 forwardly of and parallel tothe vertical plate member 39. The top marginal portion of the supportingplate 87 is formed with a generally V-shaped notch 88 which receives thebearing collar portion 89 of the motor at its apex, the motor beingsecured to the portions of the plate 87 adjacent the notch 88 bysuitable fastening screws 9b. The crank mechanism 73 is mounted on themotor shaft 74 which projects through the collar 89, as shown in FIGURE7, the assembly 73 being engaged with the end of the rod projection 84in the manner above described and illustrated in FIGURE 7, the end ofthe extension 84 extending through an aperture provided in the end ofthe crank arm 82 and being retained by the provision of a cotter pin 91engaged through the forward end portion of the extension 84. A hearingbushing 92 is provided, said bushing 92 being suitably flanged andextending through the aperture in the end of the crank arm 82. As willbe readily apparent, if it should be necessary to remove the motor andthe crank assembly 73 for any reason, such as for repair or replacement,such removal can be readily accomplished by merely removing the cotterpin 91 and unfastening the motor securing screws 99. With the screws 99and the cotter pin 91 unfastened, it is merely necessary to move themotor and crank assembly forwardly sufiiciently to disengage the crankarm 82 from the forward end portion of the extension 84, after which themotor and crank assembly be lifted vertically upwardly through the notch88. The parts may be readily replaced by following a reverse procedure.

The beverage compartment 34 has associated therewith a similardispensing mechanism comprising a motor VM2 and a crank mechanismidentical to the crank mechanism 73. Thus the dispensing frame 62associated with the beverage container storage compartment 34 isoperated in the same way as the dispensing frame 61 associated with thebeverage container storage compartment 33.

The beverage container compartments 35 and 36 are provided with asuitable dispensing mechanism generally similar to the mechanism 73 butarranged so that it dispenses containers in alternate sequence from thecompartments 35 and 36, the parts being so arranged that release of acontainer either from the compartment 35 or from the compartment 36occurs with each quarter revolution of the driving disc 75' of the crankmechanism 73' of the beverage container dispensing assembly associatedwith the compartments 35 and 36. A driving motor VM3 is con nected tothe driving disc 75 substantially in the same manner as previouslydescribed in connection with the driving disc 75, and operating lugs 96are provided on the periphery of the driving disc 75', spaced apart, andengageable with the operating element 85' of a limit switch V83 mountedadjacent the periphery of the driving disc 75, said limit switch beingnormally closed and opening when engaged by a lug 96, to deenergize theassociated driving motor VM3, as will be presently described, at the endof each release stroke of the crank mechanism 73'. The mechanism 73' isprovided with two opposing crank arms 97 and 98, each crank arm beingconnected to a corresponding extension of a frame rod member 99 andlititl of the vending frames 63 and 64, as shown in FIG- URE 6, wherebyto rotate the vending frames through corresponding angles responsive tothe rotation of the driving disc 75'. As will be apparent from FIGURE 6,each quarter rotation of the driving disc 75' will cause the frames 63and 64 to be rotated through a corresponding release stroke. Forexample, with the elements arranged as shown in FIGURE 6, when the motorV M3 is energized it will rotate the driving disc 75 in a clockwisedirection through a quarter of a revolution. The crank arm 97 Will causethe frame 63 to be rotated in a clockwise direction due to theretraction of the crank arm 97. This will allow the container, shown at101, to slip downwardly into engagement with the frame element 102 ofthe frame 63. At the same time, the opposite dispensing frame 64 isrotated in a clockwise direction so that its bottom frame element 193moves sufficiently to allow a container 104 to be released. The nextstroke of the mechanism causes the crank arm 97 to move to the left, andto rotate the frame 63 in a counterclockwise direction through an anglesutlicient to allow the previously mentioned container 161 to disengagefrom the frame element 102 and to thereby be discharged. Concurrentlywith this action the lowermost container in the compartment 36 movesinto position to be released by the next quarter revolution of the disc75. Said last-mentioned container is discharged upon the subsequentquarter revolution of the disc 75', whereupon the lowermost container inthe compartment 35 moves into position to be discharged upon the finalquarter revolution of disc 75. Thus, while a container is dischargedfrom one of the storage compartments 35 or 36, a contain er in the otherstorage compartment slips into a position engaging the bottom frameelement of the associated vending frame 63 or 64, preparatory todischarge.

It will therefore be seen that the beverage containers are alternatelydischarged from the compartments 3S and 36 responsive to the successivequarter revolutions of the driving disc 75' of the crank mechanism 73,allowing two double stacks of beverage containers to be provided in thissection of the device, the beverage containers in this section beingdispensed by the operation of the dispensing motor VM3 and theassociated crank mechanism 73'.

The oppositely extending crank arms 97 and 98 are operatively mounted ona crank disc assembly similar to that previously described in connectionwith the crank mechanism73 and illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. The motorVM3 and the associated crank mechanism 73" are mounted on the verticalsupporting plate 87 in the same manner as previously described inconnection with motor VMll and the associated crank mechanism 73.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the discharge chutes 27 and 28 are provided withpivoted flaps 105 which are biased by suitable spring means tosubstantially vertical depending positions with their edges in abutmentwith closure flanges 106 so as to close ofi the discharge chutes withrespect to their associated supply troughs and 26. However, when acontainer slides down a trough 25 or 26, the weight of the container issufficient to push the corresponding flap 105 forwardly to an openposition an to allow the container to slide through the chute 27 or 28into the discharge chamber 29, as illustrated in dotted view in FIGURE2.

The vertical supporting plate member 257 on which the motors VMl, VM2and VM3 are mounted extends for the full width of the frame of theapparatus, as shown in FIGURE 3. The vertical plate member 39 on whichthe container feeding frame assemblies 61, 62, 63 and 64 are supportedat their forward pivot shafts is suitably apertured to allow clearancefor the required movement of the frame rod extensions 84, 99 and 1199.Thus, the vertical plate member 39 is formed with horizontal slots 1117through which the frame rod extensions 84 extend and said plate member39 is formed with respective horizontal slots 108 and 109 through whichthe frame rod extensions 92 and 1% extend, as shown in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, 111 and 112 respectively designate a pair ofpower supply wires leading to a suitable source of supply current, forexample, to a conventional domestic alternating current powerreceptacle. The vending machine 12 is provided with conventionalrefrigeration means which includes a conventional compressor having thedriving motor 113, the motor 113 being connected across the supplyconductors 111 and 112 through a conventional circuit breaker 114 and athermostatic switch 115, as shown. The refrigeration assembly is alsoprovided with a condenser with which is associated a fan driven by amotor 116 which is connected to the power supply wires 111 and 112through the thermostatic switch 115, as shown. The above mentionedelements of the refrigeration system are conventional in themselves andform no part of the present invention. These elements are contained inthe space 21 in the lower portion of cabinet 13.

Designated at 117 is an auxiliary wire which is connected to the supplywire 112 through a suitable fuse 118. Connected between the wires 117and 111 is a suitable decorative illuminated sign 119 which may bemounted on the top of the cabinet 13, or in any other desirablelocation.

The machine is provided with conventional coin-responsive meansincluding a normally open coin tube switch 120 which is mounted in thecoin conduit of a conventional coin-receiving apparatus, the coin tubeswitch 120 closing momentarily responsive to the passage of a cointhrough the coin tube of the machine. The switch 120 is connected inseries with an indicating lamp 121 between the wires 111 and 117.

Mounted on a side wall of the cabinet 13, or on any other suitableportion of the apparatus is a coin box 122 which is provided withrespective coin receiving slots 123, a separate slot being provided foreach different type of beverage to be dispensed by the machine, namely,for the beverages contained in the stacked containers respectivelyprovided in the compartment 33, the compartment 34 and in the dualcompartments and 36. Each of the slots 123 leads to a coin tube, andprovided therein in positions to be operated by coins dropped throughthe slots are respective normally open switches FSS-i, FSS2 and FSS3.Mounted in any suitable location in the cabinet 13, or in a separatehousing which may be attached to the cabinet are respective relays SR1,SR2 and SR3, associated with the above mentioned coin-operated flavor orbeverage-selecting switches FSS-1, FSS-2 and FSS3. Also mounted in therelay housing are two additional relays, designated in FIGURE 11 as VRand A]. Thus, the relays SR1, SR2 and SR3 are flavor or beverage-vselecting relays, the relay VR is the vending relay and the relay Al isthe anti-jackpot relay whose function is to provide protection againstthe delivery of too many beverage containers as a result of sticking ofone of the switches in the device, as will be presently explained.

Shown generally at 124 is a conventional coin changer which is adaptedto receive coins and make change, as required, and to allow proper coinsto pass therethrough into the coin collecting box of the machine. Asshown in FIGURE 11, the device 124 has one electrical terminal thereofconnected to the wire 125 which is in turn connected to a pole 126 ofthe relay SR1, the pole 126 being engageable with a contact 127. Thecontact 127 is connected by a wire 128 to a contact 121 of the relay VR,said contact being normally engaged by a pole 130 of said relay. Thepole 130 is connected by a wire 131 to the power supply wire 111. Thecoin-operated switch FSS-1 is connected between the wire 128 and oneterminal of the winding of the relay SR1, by means of a connecting wire132, as shown. The remaining terminal of the winding of the relay SR1 isconnected through a wire 133, the normally closed contacts 138 and 139of the associated empty switch BS1, a wire 134, a wire 135, and alockout switch LOS to the wire 117. The lockout switch LOS is normallyclosed, as shown. Said lockout switch is mounted beneath a pivotedplatform member 136 provided in the discharge chamber 29 and biasedupwardly by suitable spring means but being depressed responsive to thereception thereon of a beverage container. The depression of theplatform member 136 acts on the operating element of the lockout switchLOS, which is mounted subjacent the platform member, as shown in FIGURE2, causing the switch LOS to open and to remain open until the platformmember 136 is relieved of the weight of the beverage container.

The compartment 33 is provided with a warning lamp 137 which isenergized responsive to the empty condition of the chamber 33, as willbe presently described. The empty switch BS1 mounted in the compartment33 is provided with a first set of normally closed contacts 138 and 139,which open responsive to the empty condition of the chamber 33, and witha set of normally open contacts 140 and 141 which close responsive tosaid empty condition of the chamber 33. The contacts 141i and 141 areconnected in series with the warning lamp 137 between the wires 111 and135.

Similar warning lamps 142 and 143 are provided for the space 34 and thedual spaces 35 and 36, operated in the same manner as the warning lamp137.

The relay VR has one terminal of its winding connected by a wire 144 tothe wire 117. The other terminal of the winding of relay VR is connectedby a wire 145 to a pole 146 of the relay A], said pole normally engaginga contact 147 but disengaging therefrom responsive to the energizationof relay A].

Provided in the coin tube of the machine is a double pole switch VSCCcomprising the poles 148 and 149, the pole 149 normally engaging acontact 150 but being disengaged therefrom responsive to the passage ofa coin through the chute, and the pole 148 being normally disengagedfrom an associated contact 151 but engaging said associated contactresponsive to the passage of the coin. Contact 147 of the relay A] isconnected by a wire 152 to the contact 151. The pole 148 is connected'bya wire 153 to a Wire 1554 which is in turn connected to a pole 155 ofthe relay VR. Associated with said pole is a contact 156 which isconnected by a wire 157 to the remaining pole 153 of the relays Al. Thepole 158 is engageable with a contact 15% responsive to the energizationof the relay A], the contact 159 being connected by a wire let) to apole 161 of the relay SR1. Associated with the pole 161 is a contact 162which is engaged with the pole responsive to the energization of therelay SR1, said contact being connected by a wire 163 to one terminal ofthe vending motor VMI. The remaining terminal of the motor VM1 isconnected by a wire 164 to the wire 135, and is thus connected to thepower supply wire 117 through the lockout switch LOS.

The relay SR1 is provided with a holding circuit comprising a contact165 connected to the wire 133 and engageable by a pole 166 connected bya wire 167 to a pole 168 of the relay VR. Associated with the pole 168is a contact 169 connected by a Wire 1711 to the wire 144.

The relay VR is provided with a holding circuit comprising a contact 171connected to the wire 145 and a pole 172 connected by a wire 173 to awire 174 which is in turn connected through normally closed limit switchcontacts 175, 176 and 177 of the limit switches V83, V822. and VS1 tothe wire 154 through wires 178, 179 and 1813, as shown. Wire 153 isconnected to the wire 111 through a wire 181.

One terminal of the anti-jackpot relay A} is con nected to the line wire111 through a wire 132, the pole 149 and the contact 155 of the coinoperated switch VSCC which is mounted in the coin tube. The remainingterminal of the winding of the relay AI is connected by a wire 183through a contact 184 of the relay VR, the contact being engageable by apole 135 responsive to the energizat'ion of the relay VR. Pole 185 isconnected to the wire 167. Another holding circuit branch is providedfor the relay SR1, to maintain the relay energized after opening of thecoin-operated switch FSS1, comprising a wire 156 connecting the wire 132to a contact 187 of the relay SR-Z, which is normally engaged by a pole183 or" said relay. The pole 188 is connected by a Wire 1189 to acontact 191 of the relay SR3, normally engaged by a pole 191 of saidlast-named relay. The pole 191 is connected by a wire 192 to a contact193 of the relay SR1. A pole 194 of relay SR1 is engageable with thecontact 193 responsive to the energization of the relay. Pole 194 isconnected to the wire 174. It will thus be seen that this holdingcircuit branch can only remain intact, for purposes of maintaining relaySR1 energized, if the relays SR2 and SR3 are deenergized.

Corresponding holding circuit branches are provided for each of therelays SR2 and SR3, similar to the one thus described for the relay SR1to insure that a selected one of these relays can become energized onlyif the other two relays are deenergized. As previously mentioned, oneterminal of the dispensing motor VM1 is connected to the wire 164 andthe other terminal of said motor is connected to the wire 163. Saidother terminal is also connected to the wire 154 through a normally openset of contacts 195 included in the limit switch V51 and being operatedby a lug 36 of the associated driving disc 75 to close the contacts 195at the same time that the contacts 177 are opened. The contacts 195remain closed as long as the aforesaid lug 36 remains in engagement withthe operating element of the limit switch VS1, causing the motor VM1 toremain energized until the lug 86 slips past the aforesaid operatingelement of the switch switch. As shown in FIGURE 11, the terminal of themotor VM1 which is connected to the wire 163 is connected through thecontacts 195 to the wire 154 by a wire 196.

The motors VMZ and VM3 are provided with similar switch contacts 197 and198 operating in the same manner as the switch contacts 195 to maintainthese motors energized until their associated disc-carryingswitch-actuating lugs slip past the operating elements of theirassociated limit switches. The sets of contacts 197 and 198 function inthe same manner as the set of contacts 195 to maintain the motorsenergized to assure suflicient travel of the driving discs associatedwith the motors to release the operating elements of the associatedlimit switches. However, it will be noted that the branch circuitincluding the wire 199 from a terminal of the motor VM2 and leading tothe wire 169 also includes the contacts 177 associated with the vendingmotor VM1, and the corresponding branch circuit associated with themotor 1M3 comprises a wire 200 connected through the contacts 193 andthe respective sets of contacts 176 and 177. The normally open contacts197 are closed by the limit switch V82 when the contacts 176 open andthe normally open con- 111 tacts 193 are closed by the limit switch VS3when the contacts 175 open.

It will thus be seen that the wire 196 is connected to the line wire 111through the switch contacts 195, the wire 153 and the wire 181 at thesame time that the limit switch contacts 177 are opened, so that oneterminal of the motor VMl remains connected to the line, the otherterminal of the motor being connected to the opposite line wire 112through the Wire 164, the lockout switch LOS and the wire117, tomaintain the motor VM1 energized until the operating element of thelimit switch V81 is released. The motor VM2 and VM3 are subject to thesame type of control, since the Wire 199 is connected to the line-wire111 through the limit switch contacts 197, the wire 179, the limitswitch contacts 177, the wire 1%, the wire 154, the wire 153, and wire181. Similarly, the wire 2% associated with the motor VM3 is connectedto the line wire 111 through the limit switch contacts 198, the wire178, the limit switch contacts 176, the wire 179, the limit switchcontacts 177, the Wire 1819, the wire 154, the wire 153, and the Wire131.

In operation, the vending cycle is started by the insertion of a coin ina selected slot 123, for example, in the slot associated with thevending compartment 33. This will trip the corresponding flavorselection switch, namely, the switch FSS1 located in the associated cointube. The coin signal switch will close, energizing the lamp 121.

The closure of the switch FSS-l energizes the corresponding selectionrelay, namely, the relay SR1 through a circuit comprising line wire 111,Wire 1181, wire 131, contacts and 129 of relay VR, wire 128, the switchFSS-ll, the wire 132, the winding of relay SR1, the wire 133, the emptyswitch contacts 138 and 139, the wire 134, the wire 135, the lockoutswitch LOS, the wire 117, the fuse 118 and the remaining line wire 112.The energization of the relay SR1 operates the coin acceptance device124 through a circuit comprising line wire 112, fuse 118, wire 117, thedevice 124, the wire 125, pole 126, contact 127, wire 128, contact 129,pole 1311, wire 131, wire 131 and the remaining line Wire 1111.Energization of the device 124 allows the coin to be accepted. As thecoin passes through the coin changer and acceptance device 124 it tripsthe vend switch VSCC, closing contacts 148 and 151 and opening contacts149 and 151). This energizes the vend relay VR through a circuitcomprising the line wire 111, the wire 181, the wire 153, the pole 148,the contact 151, the wire 152, the contact 147, the pole 146, the wire145, the winding of the vend relay VR, the wire 144, the wire 117, thefuse 113, and the remaining line wire 112. The circuit connecting thewire to the line wire 111 is then shunted by a holding circuitcomprising wire 145, contact 171, pole 172, wire 173, wire 174, limitswitch contacts 175, wire 178, limit switch contacts 176, wire 179,limit switch contacts 177, Wire 180, wire 154, wire 181 and line wire111. Vend relay VR is thus held independently of the coin switchoperated contacts 148 and 151 until one set of the limit switch contacts175, 176 or 177 opens.

As the coin-operated switch pole 149 returns into engagement with itsassociated contact 150, it energizes the anti-jackpot relay AI through acircuit comprising line wire 111, contact 150, pole 149, wire 182, thewinding of the relay Al the Wire 183, the contact 184, the pole 185, thewire 167, the pole 166, the contact 165, the wire 133, the pole 138, thecontact 139, the wire 134, the wire 135, the lockout switch LOS, thewire 117, the fuse 113, and the remaining line wire 112.

It is noted that at this time the selection relay SR1 is held energizedindependently of the coin-operated switch FSS-1 by a circuit comprisingline wire 112, fuse 118, Wire 117, the switch LOS, wire 135, wire 134,contacts 139 and 138, wire 133, the winding of the relay SR1, wire 132,wire 186, contacts 187 and 188, wire 189,

1 1 contacts 1% and 191, wire 192, wire 150, wire 154, wire 153, wire181 and the remaining line wire 111.

With the energization of the relay A], the vending motor VM1 becomesenergized by a circuit comprising the line wire 112, the fuse 118, thewire 117, the lockout switch LOS, the wire 164, the winding of the motorVML the wire 196, the wire 163, contact162, pole 161, wire 16%, contact159, pole wire 157, contact 156, pole 155, wire 154-, wire 153, wire 181and the remaining line wire 111.

The frame member 61 is then rotated through the necessary angle torelease a beverage container 55 and to allow the container to traveldownwardly into the discharge chamber 29. The release of the beveragecontainer is accomplished by the operation of the motor VM1 sufiicientlyto cause a lug 85 to open the limit switch contacts 177 (andsimultaneously close limit switch contacts 195). With the opening of thecontacts 177, relays VR and SR1 become deenergized, since the opening ofcontacts 177 interrupts the holding circuits of these relays. Theanti-jackpot relay A] is likewise deenergized by the opening of thecontacts 184 and 185 and by the opening of the contacts 165 and 166.However, the motor VM1 remains energized sufficiently to allow the limitswitch contacts 195 to open, so that the driving disc 75 will be placedin starting position for the next cycle of its operation.

When the bottle moves into the discharge chamber 29 the weight thereofopens the lockout switch LOS, preventing any further energization of anyof the selection relays SR1, SR2, SR3 until the bottle is removed. Theremoval of the bottle allows the switch LOS to close, allowing themachine to be again operated, if so desired.

It will be noted that in order to dispense a beverage container, it isnecessary to first energize the antijackpot" relay AI. If the vendswitch contacts 143, 151 should stick in their closed positions, falseoperation of the machine will not occur, because the anti-jackpot relayAI remains deenergized because of the opening of the contacts 165 and166 of the relay SR1 even though the vending relay VR may be energizedat this time.

Thus, if the switch contacts 149 and 159 should stick in their closedpositions, it will be impossible to operate the vend motors VMl, VMZ orVM3-, and no further vending of the beverage containers will be possibleuntil the faulty condition is corrected.

The operations of the vend motors VM2 and VM3 are respectivelycontrolled by the selection relays SR2 and SR3, the operation of thesemotors being accomplished in the same manner as previously described inconnection with the vending motor VMll.

If so desired, a suitable counter Zlil may be connected in parallel withthe vending relay VR, so as to count the number of vending energizationsof this relay, which will also correspond to the number of beveragecontainers dispensed.

An important feature of this machine is'that each of the delivery chutes25 and 26 with the associated guide member 32 causes the bottledbeverage to be discharged onto the common delivery chamber 29 inside-by-side relation with respect to the access opening 30, enabling apurchaser to grasp the dispensed bottle by the body in place of the neckor end as in prior dispensing machines.

Another important feature of this machine is that by having the motorsVMl, VMZ, and VM3, all detachably secured to the supporting plate 87,any one of these motors may be replaced, should this be necessary, bysimply removing the cotter pin 91 from the rod extension 34 of the pivotframe assembly 61, FIGURE 5 and 7, permitting the extension 34 to dropdown and rest upon the base wall of the horizontal slot 107 in thevertical plate member 39, then removing the fastening means or screws 90from the case of the motor VM1, and withdrawing the motor and theassociated crank mechanism.

1.2 This has the advantage of being able to replace a motor withoutunloading the machine.

While a specific embodiment of an improved automatic beverage containervending machine has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it willbe understood that various modifications within the spirit of theinvention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that no limitations be placed on the invention except asdefined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including anormally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set ofcontacts, said support including a vending chamber adapted to contain apluraliy of vertically stacked objects to be vented, a pivoted vendingmember mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to supportthe stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release thelowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through apredetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and beingconstructed and arranged to effect pivotal movement of said vendingmember through said predetermined angle responsive to energizationthereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets ofcontacts operated by said vending relay and auxliliary relay, anenergizing circuit connected to said motor means through said sets ofcontacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to thesimultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliaryrelay, a further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, anenergizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through saidnormally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts,and means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of saidsecond set of contacts, whereby said motor means cannot become energizedunless said first set of contacts recloses subsequent to movement of acoin through said passage.

2. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including anormally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set ofcontacts, said support including a chamber adapted to contain aplurailty of vertical stacked objects to be vended, a pivoted vendingmember mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to supportthe stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release thelowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through apredetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and beingconstructed and arranged to etiect pivotal movement of said vendingmember through said predetermined angle responsive to energizationthereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets ofcontacts opera-ted by said vending relay and auxiliary relay, anenergizing circuit connected to said motor means through said set ofcontacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to thesimultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliaryrelay, a further set of contacts operated by said vending relay, anenergizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relay through saidnormally closed first set of contacts and said further set of contacts,means to energize said vending relay responsive to closure of saidsecond set of contacts, whereby said motor means cannot become energizedunless said first set of contacts recloses subsequent to movement of acoin through said passage, a receiving chamber subjacent said vendingchamber including a normally closed weight-responsive switch, saidweightresponsive switch opening under the weight of a released objectfrom said vending chamber, and means connecting said weight-responsiveswitch in said first-named energizing circuit.

3. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including anormally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set ofcontacts, said support including a vending chamber adapted to contain aplurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a pivoted vendingmember mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to supportthe stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release thelowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through apredetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and beingconstructed and arranged to effect pivotal movement of said vendingmember through said predetermined angle responsive to energizationthereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets ofcontacts operated by said vending relay and auxiliary relay, anenergizing circuit connected to said motor means through said sets ofcontacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to thesimultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliaryrelay, means opening said energizing circuit responsive to the rotationof said vending member through said predetermined angle, a further setof contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuitconnected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first setof contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize saidvending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts,whereby said motor means cannot become energized unless said first setof contacts recloses subsequent to movement of a coin through saidpassage.

4. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga coin passage containing coin-operated switch means including anormally closed first set of contacts and a normally open second set ofcontacts, said support including a vending chamber adapted to contain aplurality of vertically stacked objects to be vended, a pivoted vendingmember mounted on said support below said chamber and adapted to supportthe stacked objects, said vending member being operable to release thelowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through apredetermined angle, motor means mounted adjacent said chamber and beingconstructed and arranged to efi'ect pivotal movement of said vendingmember through said predetermined angle responsive to energizationthereof, a vending relay, an auxiliary relay, respective sets ofcontacts operated by said vending relay and auxiliary relay, anenergizing circuit connected to said motor means through said sets ofcontacts, whereby said motor means becomes energized responsive to thesimultaneous energization of both said vending relay and said auxiliaryrelay, means opening said energizing circuit responsive to the rotationof said vending member through said predetermined angle, a further setof contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuitconnected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first setof contacts and said further set of contacts, means to energize saidvending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts,whereby said motor means cannot become energized unless said first setof contacts recloses subsequent to movement of a coin through saidpassage, a receiving chamber subjacent said vending chamber, saidreceiving chamber including a normally closed weight-responsive switchopening under the weight of a released object from said vending chamber,and means connecting said weightresponsive switch in said first-namedenergizing circuit.

5. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga plurality of vending chambers, each adapted to contain a plurality ofvertically stacked objects to be vended, respective pivoted vendingmembers mounted on said support below the vending chambers and adaptedto support the stacked objects, each of said vending members beingoperable to release the adjacent lowermost object responsive to itspivotal movement through a predetermined angle, respective selectingrelays associated wi-th the vending chambers, a vending relay, anauxiliary relay, means to effect pivotal movement of a selected vendingmember through the required predetermined release angle responsive tothe simultaneous energization of a corresponding selecting relay, saidvending relay and said auxiliary relay, respective selecting switches onsaid support associated with the vending chambers, means to energize theselecting relays responsive to the closure of the associated selectingswitches, operating switch means on the support including a normallyclosed first set of con tacts and a normally open second set of contactsoperating simultaneously, a normally open further set of contactsoperated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to saidauxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts andsaid further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relayresponsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

6. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga plurality of vending chambers, each adapted to contain a plurality ofvertically stacked objects to be vended, respective pivoted vendingmembers mounted on said support below the vending chambers and adaptedto support the stacked objects, each of said vending members beingoperable to release the adjacent lowermost object responsive to itspivotal movement through a predetermined angle, respective selectingrelays associated with the vending chambers, a vending relay, anauxiliary relay, means to effect pivoted movement of a selected vendingmember through the required predetermined release angle responsive tothe simultaneous energization of a corresponding selecting relay, saidvending relay and said auxiliary relay, respective coin-operatedswitches on said support associated with the vending members, means toenergize a selecting relay responsive to the closure of the associatedcoin-operated switch, further coin-operated switch means on the supportincluding a normally closed first set of contacts and a normally opensecond set of contacts operating simultaneously, a normally open furtherset of contacts operated by said vending relay, an energizing circuitconnected to said auxiliary relay through said normally closed first setof contacts and said further set of contacts, and means to energize saidvending relay responsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

7. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga plurality of vending chambers, each adapted to contain a plurality ofvertically stacked objects, respective pivoted vending members mountedon the support below said chambers and adapted to support the stackedobjects, each of said vending members being operable to release theadjacent lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through apredetermined angle, respective motors mounted on the support anddrivingly coupled to the vending members, respective selecting relaysassociated with the vending chambers, a vending relay, an auxiliaryrelay, means to energize a selected motor for a sufiicient time toeffect pivotal movement of its associated vending member through therequired predetermined release angle responsive to the simultaneousenergization of a corresponding selecting relay, said vending relay andsaid auxiliary relay, respective selecting switches on said supportassociated with the vending chambers, means to energize the selectingrelays responsive to the closure of the associated selecting switches,operating switch means on the support including a normally closed firstset of contacts and a normally open second set of contacts operatingsimultaneously, a normally open further set of contacts operated by saidvending relay, an energizing circuit connected to said auxiliary relaythrough said normally closed first set of contacts and said further setof contacts, and means to energize said vending relay responsive toclosure of said second set of contacts.

8. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga plurality of vending chambers each adapted to contain a plurality ofvertically stacked objects, respective pivoted vending members mountedon the suppont below said chambers and adapted to support the stackedobjects, each of said vending members being operable to release theadjacent lowermost object responsive to its pivotal movement through apredetermined angle, respective motors mounted on the support anddrivingly coupled to the vending members, respective selecting relaysassociated with the vending chambers, a vending relay, an auxiliaryrelay, means to energize a selected motor for a suificient time toeii'ect pivotal movement of its associated vending member through therequired predetermined release angle responsive to the simultaneousenergization ot a corresponding selecting relay, said vending relay andsaid auxiliary relay, respective coin-operated switches on said supportassociated with the vending chambers, means to energize a selectingrelay responsive to the closure of the associated coin-operated switch,further coin-operated switch means on the support including a normallyclosed first set of contacts and a normally open second set of contactsoperated simultaneously, a normally open further set of contactsoperated by said vending relay, an energizing circuit connected to saidauxiliary relay through said normally closed first set of contacts andsaid further set of contacts, and means to energize said vending relayresponsive to closure of said second set of contacts.

9. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stackedobjects to be vended, a vertical plate member mounted on said supportadjacent the lower portion of said vending chamber, said piate memberbeing formed with a notch, a vending motor secured to said plate memberwith its shaft extending through said notch, a pivoted vending memberembodying a pair of rods each carrying an idler sleeve and arranged insuperimposed spaced relation and connected at each of the adjacent endsby a transversely-disposed bar pivotally mounted on said support belowsaid chamber, said vending member being adapted to support the stackedobjects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermostobject responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle,means drivingly coupling the motor shaft to said vending member, andmeans to energize said motor for a sufiicient time to efiect pivotalmovement of said vending member through said predetermined angle.

10. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stackedobjects to be vended, a vertical plate member mounted on said supportadjacent the lower portion of said vending chamber, said plate memberbeing formed With a notch, a vending motor secured to said plate memberwith its shafit extending through said notch, a pivoted vending memberembodying a pair of rodseach carrying an idler sleeve and arranged insuperimposed spaced relation and connected at each of the adjacent endsby a transversely-disposed bar pivotally mounted on said support belowsaid chamber, said vending member being adapted to support the stackedobjects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermostobject responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle,a crank disc mounted on the motor shaft at the inner side of said notch,an eccentric disc secured to said crank disc, a crank arm rotatablymounted on the periphery of said eccentric disc, means drivinglyconnecting said crank arm to said vending member, and means to energizesaid motor for a sufficient time to efiect pivotal movement of saidvending member through said predetermined angle.

11. In a vending machine of the character described, a support includinga vending chamber adapted to contain a plurality of vertically stackedobjects to be vended, a vertical plate member mounted on said supportadjacent the lower portion of said vending chamber, said plate memberbeing formed with a notch, a vending motor secured to said plate memberwith its shaft extending through said notch, a pivoted vending memberembodying a pair of rods each carrying an idler sleeve and arranged insuperimposed spaced relation and connected at each of the adjacent endsby a transversely-disposed bar pivotally mounted on said support belowsaid chamber, said vending member being adapted to support the stackedobjects, said vending member being operable to release the lowermostobject responsive to its pivotal movement through a predetermined angle,a crank disc mounted on the motor shaft at the inner side of said notch,an eccentric disc rotatably mounted on said motor shaft adjacent saidcrank disc, means to clamp said eccentric disc to said crank disc at anadjusted angle of rotation relative thereto, a crank arm rotatablymounted on the periphery of said eccentric disc, means drivinglyconnecting said crank arm to said vending member, and means to energizesaid motor for a sufi'icient time to eifect pivotal movement of saidvending member through said predetermined angle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS544,511 Mansfield Aug. 13, 1895 641,582 Dean Ian. 16, 1900 1,686,091Manning Oct. 2, 1928 1,773,885 Staley Aug. 26, 1930 2,266,744Dunkelberger Dec. 23, 1941 2,438,503 Holt Mar. 30,1948 2,549,561 BakerApr. 17, 1951 2,810,536 Cunningham Oct. 22, 1957 2,814,317 Gale Nov. 26,1957 2,825,488 Nelson Mar. 4, 1958 2,836,326 Childers May 27, 19582,850,133 Greenly Sept. 2, 1958 2,852,161 Foerstner Sept. 16, 19582,884,110 Krasney Apr. 28, 1959 2,904,152 Helsing Sept. 15, 19592,925,194 Mihalek Feb. 16, 1960 2,956,661 Radcliffe Oct. 18, 19612,980,288 Hunter Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 853,048 Great BritainNov. 2, 1960

1. IN A VENDING MACHINE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A SUPPORT INCLUDINGA COIN PASSAGE CONTAINING COIN-OPERATED SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING ANORMALLY CLOSED FIRST SET OF CONTACTS AND A NORMALLY OPEN SECOND SET OFCONTACTS, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A VENDING CHAMBER ADAPTED TO CONTAIN APLURALIY OF VERTICALLY STACKED OBJECTS TO BE VENTED, A PIVOTED VENDINGMEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT BELOW SAID CHAMBER AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORTTHE STACKED OBJECTS, SAID VENDING MEMBER BEING OPERABLE TO RELEASE THELOWERMOST OBJECT RESPONSIVE TO ITS PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THROUGH APREDETERMINED ANGLE, MOTOR MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CHAMBER AND BEINGCONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO EFFECT PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID VENDINGMEMBER THROUGH SAID PREDETERMINED ANGLE RESPONSIVE TO ENERGIZATIONTHEREOF, A VENDING RELAY, AN AUXILIARY RELAY, RESPECTIVE SETS OFCONTACTS OPERATED BY SAID VENDING RELAY AND AUXILIARY RELAY, ANENERGIZING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID MOTOR MEANS THROUGH SAID SETS OFCONTACTS, WHEREBY SAID MOTOR MEANS BECOMES ENERGIZED RESPONSIVE TO THESIMULTANEOUS ENERGIZATION OF BOTH SAID VENDING RELAY AND SAID AUXILIARYRELAY, A FURTHER SET OF CONTACTS OPERATED BY SAID VENDING RELAY, ANENERGIZING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID AUXILIARY RELAY THROUGH SAIDNORMALLY CLOSED FIRST SET OF CONTACTS AND SAID FURTHER SET OF CONTACTS,AND MEANS TO ENERGIZE SAID VENDING RELAY RESPONSIVE TO CLOSURE OF SAIDSECOND SET OF CONTACTS, WHEREBY SAID MOTOR MEANS CANNOT BECOME ENERGIZEDUNLESS SAID FIRST SET OF CONTACTS RECLOSES SUBSEQUENT TO MOVEMENT OF ACOIN THROUGH SAID PASSAGE.